Two more Port Adelaide players isolated from teammates due to viral meningitis fears

AFL correspondent in South Australia

Back at home: John Butcher was hospitalised with gastroenteritis. Photo: Getty Images

Port Adelaide’s concern with viral meningitis spreading among its squad remains with at least two unnamed players from Sunday’s losing game to Collingwood at the MCG isolated from their teammates.

The players went into the game recovering from bouts of gastroenteritis, which can be a symptom of viral meningitis and which led to forward John Butcher and ruckman Jarrad Redden being admitted to Royal Adelaide Hospital. Both of those players have improved considerably over the past 48 hours and been sent home.

According to medical staff, the club is in precaution mode, with far more stringent hygiene practices, and the other two possibly affected players placed in quarantine. There is no indication they have viral meningitis and the club expects them to resume training with the main group tomorrow. However, the upgraded best-practice health measures will remain in place.

Collingwood has not been overly concerned with the remote possibility that any of its players was of its players being confronted by an opponent carrying the illness on Sunday. As per normal AFL club policy, its medical staff has acted with due diligence and monitored the usual health-care checks in accordance with standard procedures. None of the Magpie players have reported feeling ill this week.

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At this stage Port is not expected to make surprise forced changes for Saturday night’s clash with Sydney at Adelaide Oval, with key defender Jackson Trengove likely to return from an ankle injury and wingman Matt White (groin) also considered a chance to play.